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SF 2923

Straw bale construction and hempcrete construction rulemaking requirement provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ann Johnson Stewart

The bill would require a formal rulemaking process to establish standards and guidelines for straw bale and hempcrete construction in Minnesota.

Referred to Labor
#buildingsandbuildingcodes #childrenandfamiliesandchildren #youthandfamiliesdepartment #housingandhousingfinanceagency #labor #employment #andlaborandindustrydepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 2923

Summary of SF 2923 — Straw bale construction and hempcrete construction rulemaking requirement provision

Overview

SF 2923 is a Minnesota Senate bill introduced on March 24, 2025, titled “Straw bale construction and hempcrete construction rulemaking requirement provision.” The bill falls under multiple subject areas, including Buildings and Building Codes, Housing and Housing Finance Agency, and labor-related departments (Labor and Industry Department; potentially related agencies serving children, families, and housing). The programmatic aim is to establish a rulemaking pathway related to straw bale and hempcrete construction. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate’s Labor committee. A House companion bill exists as HF 2005.

What the bill would do

  • Create a rulemaking requirement concerning straw bale construction and hempcrete construction.
  • The exact scope would be determined by the text enacted through rulemaking, but the bill signals that state agencies would develop or update rules, standards, or guidelines for these alternative building methods.
  • The provision appears to engage multiple agencies involved in building codes, housing policy, and related labor/industry regulation, potentially coordinating rulemaking acrossDepartments such as the Department of Labor and Industry and the Housing Finance Agency.

Key provisions and changes (as indicated by the title and summary)

  • Establish a formal rulemaking process specific to straw bale and hempcrete construction.
  • Likely tasks for the rulemaking process (to be detailed in the bill’s text) may include: adoption of standards or guidelines, public notice and comment procedures, and implementation timelines.
  • The bill may designate lead agencies or interagency coordination for developing and enforcing these rules.
  • It introduces a procedural mechanism to introduce or formalize building practices using straw bale and hempcrete within Minnesota’s building codes framework.

Who and what would be affected

  • Builders, contractors, and homeowners who consider or use straw bale or hempcrete construction in Minnesota projects.
  • State agencies responsible for building codes, housing policy, workforce regulation, and related oversight (e.g., Department of Labor and Industry; Housing Finance Agency).
  • Potentially, programs serving families and housing for children and youth if these materials tie into public housing or affordable housing initiatives.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction date: March 24, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Labor committee in the Senate.
  • Related legislation: HF 2005 is the companion bill in the House.
  • No further committee actions or dates are listed in the provided information.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted, SF 2923 would formalize a rulemaking path for straw bale and hempcrete construction, which could lead to new or updated Minnesota building standards and permitting processes.
  • The changes could affect construction costs, training requirements for workers, and timelines for project approvals, depending on the specifics of the adopted rules.
  • Public stakeholders, including builders, contractors, codes officials, and housing advocates, may be interested in monitoring the rulemaking process for opportunities to provide input.

Next steps to watch

  • Review the full text of SF 2923 to understand the exact rulemaking mandates, responsible agencies, deadlines, and the scope of constructions addressed.
  • Monitor amendments and subsequent committee hearings in the Senate Labor committee.
  • Check the House companion (HF 2005) for parallel provisions and any differences between the two chambers.
  • Look for the timeline and criteria for any rule adoption once the bill progresses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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